• Lions rookie defensive tackle Nick Fairley returned to practice Friday after being out for several weeks with a foot injury. Fairley was doing some running and partaking in the defensive line drills. Although he probably won’t play Sunday this is a good sign of a return to game action in Week 4.
  • TE Brandon Pettigrew also returned to practice after missing Wednesday and Thursday due to a sore shoulder. I do expect him to be on the field this Sunday in Minneapolis.
  • Despite not starting last weekend against Kansas City, Lions OT Gosder Cherilus is still high among Lions coaches and could return to the starting lineup this Sunday. Cherilus was benched last weekend in favor of Corey Hilliard after Cherilus’ personal foul penalty in the waning minutes of week one’s matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Re: Mlive.com